Dispensing lid for container

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a dispensing lid for a container. The dispensing lid comprises a base member and an elongated sipping member. The base member comprises a plate portion and a skirt portion. The plate portion includes an opening configured therein. The skirt portion extends from a periphery of the plate portion. The elongated sipping member is configured on the plate portion and extends from the plate portion in a direction opposite to the skirt portion. Moreover, the sipping member comprises a channel configured therewithin. The channel is fluidically coupled with the opening of the plate portion. The dispensing lid is adapted to be removably coupled to a mouth of the container in a manner such that the skirt portion engages with the mouth of the container. Upon being coupled to the container the dispensing lid is capable of dispensing a fluid, contained in the container, through the opening and the channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a lid for a container, and,more particularly, to a dispensing lid capable of being coupled to acontainer for enabling dispensation of a fluid from the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An infant's diet generally includes fluids, such as milk, juice and thelike. Mostly, such fluids are packaged and sold in containers, such asbottles. Typically, a fluid is poured from a container into a cup andthereafter fed to an infant with the help of a spoon. Alternatively, thefluid may be transferred to a “Sippy cup” (a cup with a removable lidand spout arrangement that is designed to minimize spillage) for feedingthe infant.

Feeding infants with the help of conventional feeding articles, such asspoons and Sippy cups, includes arranging and cleaning the feedingarticles, and pouring a fluid contained in a container into a Sippy cup.Thereafter, the fluid may be fed to the infant with the feeding article.Accordingly, feeding an infant by utilizing conventional feedingarticles is time consuming. Further, the use of the conventional feedingarticles for feeding infants outside home, for example during a vacationtrip, is cumbersome. More specifically, pouring a fluid in a Sippy cupwhile travelling on a vehicle may be very difficult and extreme care isrequired to avoid spillage of the fluid while being poured in the Sippycup.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a dispensing lid capable of beingcoupled to a container for enabling an easy dispensation and consumptionof a fluid contained in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, thegeneral purpose of the present invention is to provide a dispensing lidfor a container configured to include all the advantages of the priorart, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide adispensing lid for a container for enabling easy dispensation of a fluidcontained in the container for feeding an infant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing lidfor a container having a fluid, such that the dispensing lid is capableof replacing a lid of the container for enabling consumption of thefluid directly from the container.

In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present invention, adispensing lid for a container is disclosed. The dispensing lidcomprises a base member and an elongated sipping member. The base membercomprises a plate portion and a skirt portion. The plate portion ishaving an opening configured therein. The skirt portion extends from aperiphery of the plate portion. The elongated sipping member isconfigured on the plate portion and extends from the plate portion in adirection opposite to the skirt portion. Moreover, the sipping membercomprises a channel configured therewithin. The channel is fluidicallycoupled with the opening of the plate portion. The dispensing lid isadapted to be removably coupled to a mouth of the container in a mannersuch that the skirt portion engages with the mouth of the container.Upon being removably coupled to the mouth of the container, thedispensing lid is capable of dispensing a fluid, contained in thecontainer, through the opening and the channel. More specifically, thedispensing lid is threadably coupled to the mouth of the container.

In another aspect of the present invention, the dispensing lid isadapted to be removably coupled to a mouth of the container by a snapfit coupling arrangement configured on the skirt portion of thedispensing lid.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along withthe various features of novelty that characterize the present invention,are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forma part of this present invention. For a better understanding of thepresent invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objectsattained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanyingdrawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following detailed description andclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a dispensing lid for acontainer, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dispensing lid of FIG.1 along section line A-A′, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of a dispensing lid for acontainer, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the descriptionof several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrativepurposes are subject to many variations in implementation thereof. Itshould be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limitedto a dispensing lid for a container, as shown and described. It isunderstood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents arecontemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but theseare intended to cover the application or implementation withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the claims of the presentinvention.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity,but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present invention provides a dispensing lid for a container thatenables an easy dispensation of fluid contained in the container. Theterm “fluid,” as used herein, refers to a liquid food product, such asmilk, juice, beverage and the like. Further, the term “container,” asused herein, refers to a bottle used for packaging of such fluids. Thedispensing lid is adapted to be removably coupled to a mouth of thecontainer in a manner such that the fluid, contained in the container,may be consumed directly from the container.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dispensing lid 100 for a container(not shown) is illustrated. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates afront perspective view of the dispensing lid 100, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dispensing lid 100 of FIG. 1along section line A-A′. As shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing lid 100includes a base member 102 and an elongated sipping member 104configured on the base member 102.

The base member 102 includes a plate portion 106 and a skirt portion108. The skirt portion 108 extends from a periphery 110 of the plateportion 106. More specifically, the skirt portion 108 extends downwardlyfrom the periphery 110, along an axis X-X′ of the plate portion 106. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the plate portion 106 of thebase member 102 is configured to assume a circular shape, as shown inFIG. 1. The plate portion 106 includes an opening (not shown) configuredtherein. An outer periphery 112 of the opening of the plate portion 106is shown in FIG. 2. Further, in one embodiment of the present invention,the skirt portion 108 of the base member 102 is configured to assume aninverted frusto-conical shape having greater dimension adjacent to theperiphery 110 of the plate portion 106. However, it will be obvious to aperson skilled in the art that the skirt portion 108 may be configuredto assume any other suitable shape, such as a cylindrical shape.

As described hereinbefore, the elongated sipping member 104 (hereinafterreferred to as “sipping member 104”) is configured on the base member102. More specifically, the sipping member 104 is a tubular structureconfigured on the plate portion 106 of the base member 102 and extendsupwardly therefrom along the axis X-X′. Accordingly, the sipping member104 extends in a direction opposite to that of the skirt portion 108. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sipping member 104 includes a channel 114configured therewithin. The channel 114 of the sipping member 104 isfluidically coupled to the opening of the plate portion 106 in a mannersuch that the channel 114 extends from the outer periphery 112 of theopening. Such an arrangement of the channel 114 and the opening providesan easy passage for the fluid contained in the container when thedispensing lid 100 is being utilized to dispense the fluid therefrom. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the sipping member 104 may becoupled to the outer periphery 112 of the opening by utilizingadhesives. However, the sipping member 104 may be coupled to the outerperiphery 112 of the opening by utilizing other coupling means known inthe art.

In one embodiment of the present embodiment, the base member 102 may becomposed of a plastic material and the sipping member 104 may becomposed of a rubber material. Further, the plastic material and therubber material composing the base member 102 and the sipping member104, respectively, may be non- toxic materials.

The dispensing lid 100 of the present invention is adapted to beremovably coupled to a mouth of the container. The term “mouth” of thecontainer refers to an opening in the container for dispensing fluidtherefrom. Specifically, the dispensing lid 100 is removably coupled tothe mouth of the container in a manner such that the skirt portion 108engages with the mouth of the container. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the removable coupling between the skirt portion 108and the mouth of the container is enabled by threadably engaging theskirt portion 108 with the mouth of the container. The configuration ofthe skirt portion 108 for enabling the threadable engagement is furtherexplained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2. Alternatively, inanother embodiment of the present invention, the removable couplingbetween the skirt portion 108 and the mouth of the container may beenabled by other coupling mechanisms, such as a snap fit engagementbetween the skirt portion 108 and the mouth of the container. Theconfiguration of the skirt portion 108 for enabling the snap fitengagement is further explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the skirt portion 108 is configuredwith a plurality of threads, such as threads 116. The threads 116 of theskirt portion 108 enable in threadably engaging the skirt portion 108with the mouth of the container. In the present embodiment, the threads116 are internal threads configured on a portion of an inner peripheralsurface 118 of the skirt portion 108. Further, it will be obvious to aperson skilled in the art that the mouth of the container will have aplurality of external threads configured thereon for enabling thethreadable engagement between the skirt portion 108 and the mouth of thecontainer.

In use, a packaging lid configured on a mouth of a container may bereplaced with the dispensing lid 100 by removably coupling thedispensing lid 100 to the mouth of the container. Thereafter, the fluidmay be consumed directly from the container by an easy dispensation ofthe fluid therefrom. In one embodiment of the present invention, thedispensing lid 100 may further include a sealing member (not shown)adapted to prevent a leakage of the fluid being dispensed from thedispensing lid 100. The sealing member may be disposed at a suitableportion of the dispensing lid 100. For example, the sealing member maybe disposed on the inner peripheral surface 118 of the skirt portion108. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that thesealing member may be disposed at any other suitable portion of thedispensing lid 100 for preventing leakage of the fluid being dispensedfrom the dispensing lid 100. In one embodiment of the present invention,the sealing member may be a rubber seal.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a front perspective view of a dispensing lid200 for a container (not shown) is illustrated, in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The dispensinglid 200 includes a base member 202 and a sipping member 204. The basemember 202 includes a plate portion 206 and a skirt portion 208. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the base member 202 may be composedof a plastic material and the sipping member 204 may be composed arubber material. Further, the skirt portion 208 of the dispensing lid200 is configured in a manner to enable a snap fit engagement betweenthe dispensing lid 200 and the container. Accordingly, the skirt portion208 is configured to have a snap fit coupling arrangement for removablycoupling the dispensing lid 200 to a mouth of the container. Except forthe snap fit coupling arrangement, the dispensing lid 200 isconfigurationally and functionally similar to the dispensing lid 100.

More specifically, the sipping member 204 is similar to the sippingmember 104, and the plate portion 206 is similar to the plate portion106. Accordingly, the plate portion 206 includes a periphery 210wherefrom the skirt portion 208 extends downwardly. The plate portion206 further includes an opening (not shown), similar to the opening ofthe plate portion 106, configured therein. An outer periphery 212 of theopening of the plate portion 206 is as shown in FIG. 3. The sippingmember 204 includes a channel 214, similar to the channel 114,configured therewithin. Accordingly, the description of theconfiguration of the opening and the channel 214 has been avoided.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a portion of the skirt portion 208 isconfigured with an annular protruded structure 216 configured on aportion of an outer periphery 218 of the skirt portion 208. The annularprotruded structure 216 is capable of being snaply engaged with themouth of the container. Further, it will be evident to person skilled inthe art that the mouth of the container is configured to have acomplementary engagement means, such as an annular groove, capable ofreceiving the annular protruded structure 216 therein for enabling thesnap fit engagement between the dispensing lid 200 and the mouth of thecontainer.

The dispensing lid, as explained herein, may be configured in amultitude of sizes for being utilized on containers of different sizes.

The various embodiments of the dispensing lid, as described hereinabove,may be advantageously used for an easy dispensation of a fluid containedin a container. More specifically, the dispensing lid may be received ona mouth of the container containing fluid and may be conveniently usedfor feeding an infant directly from the container through the sippingmember of the dispensing lid. Further, the dispensing lid includes asealing member that prevents any spillage or leakage of fluid beingdispensed from the dispensing lid.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the present invention and its practicalapplication, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the present invention and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It isunderstood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents arecontemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but suchomissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application orimplementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimsof the present invention.

1. A dispensing lid for a container, the dispensing lid comprising: abase member comprising, a plate portion having an opening configuredtherein, and a skirt portion extending from a periphery of the plateportion; and an elongated sipping member configured on the plate portionand extending from the plate portion in a direction opposite to theskirt portion, the sipping member comprising a channel configuredtherewithin, wherein the channel is fluidically coupled with the openingof the plate portion, and wherein the dispensing lid is adapted to beremovably coupled to a mouth of the container in a manner such that theskirt portion engages with the mouth of the container, and wherein uponbeing removably coupled to the mouth of the container the dispensing lidis capable of dispensing a fluid, contained in the container, throughthe opening and the channel.
 2. The dispensing lid of claim 1, whereinthe skirt portion is threadably engaged with the mouth of the container.3. The dispensing lid of claim 2, wherein the skirt portion includes aplurality of internal threads capably of threadably engaging the skirtportion with the mouth of the container.
 4. The dispensing lid of claim1, wherein the base member is composed of a plastic material.
 5. Thedispensing lid of claim 1, wherein the elongated sipping member iscomposed of a rubber material.